Some items in the TriCollege Libraries Digital Collections may be under copyright. Copyright information may be available in the Rights Status field listed in this item record (below). Ultimate responsibility for assessing copyright status and for securing any necessary permission rests exclusively with the user. Please see the Reproductions and Access page for more information.
Darby [October] 9th 1862
My dear Sadie
I have many things to say to
my dear, and could I draw all my thoughts
away from the sad condition of our country, I should
be very happy; happy because, my heart is not
saddened by the sufferings of those dear to me;
but made joyous by again mingling with
and knowing that the blessings of our Father
are bestowed with an unselfish hand.
Sadie! Oldden is home. Nearly three weeks
ago 300 were sent to Washington from the Rhode
Island Hospital, they were at Fort Hamilton
R.I. two or 3 days, then came on, and he stopped
in [Philadelphia] and of course surprised us all by his
appearance; he was not able to return, his name
had been put down in mistake, & he did not
know he was coming till they told him to
pack up...They sent and up to us and
we, of course went down. I scarely yet
[Page Break]
realize, that he is with us; 16 months
of hard, labor, exposure and fatigue, followed
by 7 days battle, have left traces which
only time and attention can obliterate.
He looks very natural, but extremely
thin and weak, suffers a good deal with
his back, and is not able to bear any
exertion; kind care and good treatment
may restore him, but his system is so prostrated
and worn out it will need time
to build up. He expects to return as soon
as able, which takes away much of the
pleasure of his being here, but we know he
is unfit for duty. I heard yesterday
there were but 2300 left, of the 13000
Pennsylvania Reserves, they have been put
foremost in both large battles, and so well
drilled, trusted in any position. I was glad
he was away during the last battle, as
rumor said there were but 9 of his company
left, but we do not yet know it as a fact.
He is back again, the same true friend
[Page Break]
to me, and [underlined] I [/underlined] believe as pure and good
as when he left. O! Sadie this causes me
much happiness, and great indeed, is the
gratitude which I feel, for his preservation
from sin as well as bodily harm. To be sure
I am not always with him. but we have
talked much and not a look, a thought
an unguarded word, has made me think
for a moment, that he had fallen from
manhood, or been harmed by a life so removed
from the refinements and restraints of Society.
hell I guess thee will think I am speaking
in high tones, of [inserted:one] whom [thee
?] has no opportunity
to judge of; hundreds of others no doubt
will return as free from evil and those who
have been thus surrounded by temptations,
and resisted them, deserve our praise, and
an increase of admiration for the will that
can adhere to the right, even amidst wrong.
He has many places to visit as all want to
see him, yet, never speaks of War and its
horrors without some one asking him, We
[Page Break]
know he has done his duty, and uttered
no complaints; one day I said, why dont
thee tell some hair-breath escapes or some
soldiers yarn, he replied it gave him no
pleasure to speak of the battle field, he
went believing it to be duty and would
return when able from the same motive.
He, is much attached to [McLelillan?],
and if once gets to arguing does so well
and with all the patriotism of a true soldier.
He is coming up to-morrow to spend the
day, I will try and [inserted:get] this off, by mail, for he
would not be willing to be the subject
for such a letter.
Poor Phil Price is very miserable, they
brought him home but he improves so
slowly, they fear he will never get well.
We have 200 patients at Summit Hospital
-17 Rebels- and just as busy as ever.
I was over this morning, heard to-day that
a good many of the last 100 were of the
Brooklyn 14th, dus they know any one in
[Page Break]
[Number 2]
that Regiment? I have not yet seen
them all.
I must not forget to tell thee
Brother Ben and M Mitchel! (Continental)
were in [New York] Ben did not know he was going
till that morn, and so had no chance to get
thy address, They visited the [?] places
in [New York] & Brooklyn, procured a directory
but could find [underlined] thee [/underlined]; one place a lady answered
the bell, and told them Mr Brouwer
lived there and had a daugther Sarah,
but alas, [underlined] she [/underlined] was [?] [underlined] Sarah [/underlined], and it was
not my Sadie or the one they saught .
Too bad- I was real sorry- they went up
to Albany, and [?], much enjoyed their
trip, at Bayside on night.
John has returned and I am glad
to say his health is improved he looks
much better. I know it was that strong
will to bear in silence, & [inserted: that] strength of purpose
which prompted them to go, that enabled
[Page Break]
him to endure, those days of hardships
and nights spent upon the stony soil
unsheltered from the dampness and with
no covering save the sky. I have heard
him say little about it, but in a note he
remarked that they stood in sight of [rebel?]
[?] from 9 A.M till 7 P.M. next
day- and came to meet the enemy & they
threw aside blankets & knapsacks, and
went to meet them; there was no contest but
all that night they stood as advance guard
and with their blankets, & suffering
from hunger as they had had but two
crackers, and some coffee which had run out
before it got round.
They went in such a hurry we had
no time to prepare, but after they returned
The Ladies of Darby presented them with a
handsome silk flag, -we made it-.
A great many assembled in the eve Ms
Neill, made a good speech, and then
they partook of a very handsome supper
[Page Break]
given by the gentleman, The table
was set in the "Hotel de Lewis", or commonly
called Lewis carriage manufactory, the
large brick building near the bridge, we
had decorated the urm with flags, wreaths
and flowers, the table looked beautiful,
and after the Darby Rangers had partaken
it was refilled & the ladies invited in.
Everything passed off well, and will long
be remembered; there was no drink stronger
than coffee.
I do not feel as if I had half
answered thy precious letter; but I must
tell thee, that last evening, I [?]
or rather slipped away from a house hull of company
& fulfilled an engagement by
attending [underlined] Gottchalks [/underlined] [?]. I must
admit I never heard sweeter music
than came from the Piano when he touched
it, it carried me away from the world
of care and trail, [?] the spirit on silver
wings to a bright world to revel in sweet
[Page Break]
harmony amidst the sweet influences
which emanate from the magic touch, of
that gifted man. Did thee see thy
friend that know him while at Tarrytown?
It was a magnificant eve, we drove in
and I enjoyed it so much.
It must be very nice for
Jakey to be up there, I dont wonder he
likes it. Father, Mother, Aunt Jane & husband
started for Crosswicks this morn, return
on second day. I dont know when I
shall get my visits paid, still assist
Samuel, though less busy during the past
week. Sallies boarders have gone and
it will be quite a relief. Howard was
two years old yesterday. I have not heard
from Harrison for a long while, they are
not going to take boarders, it will be much
less care for Anna. Considering it was a
large hour before I returned last night, I will
not commence any more, much love to all and
write soon to thy devoted and loving Mart.
Martha Schofield letter to Sadie Brouwer Bartram
Martha Schofield met Sadie Brouwer Bartram in 1859 while teaching at a school in Harrison, New York, and the two remained close friends. She writes that Oldden Ridgeway has returned from the war and prefers not to talk about what he saw or experienced. She is still keeping very busy tending to soldiers at the hospital, including 17 Rebels. She recently attended a concert given by Louis Gottschalk and says she "never heard sweeter music than came from a piano when he touched it."
Schofield, Martha
1862-10-09
8 pages
reformatted digital
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/5134scho
A00181262
Copy and paste one of these options to share this book elsewhere.
Martha Schofield letter to Sadie Brouwer Bartram
Martha Schofield met Sadie Brouwer Bartram in 1859 while teaching at a school in Harrison, New York, and the two remained close friends. She writes that Oldden Ridgeway has returned from the war and prefers not to talk about what he saw or experienced. She is still keeping very busy tending to soldiers at the hospital, including 17 Rebels. She recently attended a concert given by Louis Gottschalk and says she "never heard sweeter music than came from a piano when he touched it."
Schofield, Martha
1862-10-09
8 pages
reformatted digital
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134
Martha Schofield Papers, SFHL-RG5-134 --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/5134scho
A00181262